Systems and methods for providing a combination financial product

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to systems and methods for administering combination annuity products and to combination annuity products themselves. Certain embodiments of the invention can be used in connection with variable universal life insurance and variable life insurance contracts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to combination financial products, systemsand methods, e.g., combination annuity products for retirement incomeplanning and investing.

An annuity contract in its simplest form is a contract between aninsurance company and a contract owner that provides for payments to anannuitant at regular intervals during the life of a specifiedindividual.

There are different ways of classifying insurance products such asannuities. In one method, insurance products can be classified accordingto how premium payments are invested. According to this method,insurance products can be divided into two general categories: generalaccount products (“fixed insurance products”), and separate accountproducts (“variable insurance products”).

In the case of fixed insurance products, the insurance companyguarantees certain benefits. More specifically with respect to fixeddeferred annuities, the insurance company generally guarantees a certainrate of interest for a period of time on premiums paid. Once theguarantee period is over, a new interest rate is set for the nextperiod. During an income phase (the period during which the insurancecompany provides income payments to the contract's annuitant), thecontract guarantees fixed income payments to the annuitant based on thecontract's account value at the start of the income phase and an assumedinterest rate.

Fixed annuities sales are currently driven by growth in Equity IndexAnnuities (EIAs.) An EIA is an annuity that earns interest that issomewhat linked to a stock or other equity index. An EIA is differentfrom other fixed annuities because of the way it credits interest to theannuity's value. Most fixed annuities only credit interest calculated ata rate set by the company managing the annuity. Equity-indexed annuitiescredit interest using a formula based on changes in the index to whichthe annuity is linked. Typically, the EIA does not actually invest inthe index.

The current low interest rate environment combined with the volatilityof the equity markets has reduced consumer demand for traditional fixedannuities as compared to EIAs, which are marketed as providing “upsidepotential with downside protection.”

If prospective contract or policy owners desire the potential forgreater benefits and can accept the associated greater risk thanafforded by the conservative investing inherent in fixed insuranceproducts, they may purchase a variable annuity contract. In the case ofvariable insurance products, the insurance company generally does notguarantee the product's benefits, nor its account or cash values.Instead, the investment performance of the assets underlying the productlargely if not entirely determine the benefits and contract values. Withvariable insurance products the insurance company makes available to theowner a number of investment options in a separate account, sometimescalled the variable account. One can refer to the investment options assub-accounts. The contract owner or policy owner chooses from amongthese sub-accounts to invest the premiums.

Despite these fixed products and variable products, a need remains for afinancial product that can truly provide downside protection and upsidepotential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to combination financial products, systemsand methods, e.g., combination annuity products for retirement incomeplanning and investing. An aspect of the invention provides a method foradministering a combination annuity product. The method includes:receiving at least one premium payment associated with a combinationannuity product; allocating a specified portion of the payment to afixed account and allocating a specified portion of the payment to avariable sub-account to determine a fixed account/variable sub-accountallocation; and guaranteeing principal protection for a specifiedportion of principal associated with the combination annuity product.The method guarantees principal protection for a specified portion ofprincipal associated with the combination annuity product by:guaranteeing a minimum rate on the fixed account allocation;guaranteeing at the end of a given period that the variable sub-accountwill not be less than a specific percentage of the original amountallocated to it; and determining the fixed account/variable sub-accountallocation based on a specified sub-account protection percentage, aspecified fixed account growth rate and a specified benefit period.

Another aspect of the invention provides a combination annuity productproduced by a process including: receiving at least one premium paymentassociated with a combination annuity product; allocating a specifiedportion of the payment to a fixed account and allocating a specifiedportion of the payment to a variable sub-account to determine a fixedaccount/variable sub-account allocation; and guaranteeing principalprotection for a specified portion of principal associated with thecombination annuity product. The process guarantees principal protectionfor a specified portion of principal associated with the combinationannuity product by: guaranteeing a minimum rate on the fixed accountallocation; guaranteeing at the end of a given period that the variablesub-account will not be less than a specific percentage of the originalamount allocated to it; and determining the fixed account/variablesub-account allocation based on a specified sub-account protectionpercentage, a specified fixed account growth rate and a specifiedbenefit period.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a system for administeringa combination annuity product. The system includes: receiving means forreceiving data indicating payment of at least one premium paymentassociated with a combination annuity product; allocating means incommunication with the receiving means, the allocating means forallocating a specified portion of the payment to a fixed account andallocating a specified portion of the payment to a sub-account todetermine a fixed account/variable sub-account allocation; andguaranteeing means in communication with the allocation means. Theguaranteeing means guarantees principal protection for a specifiedportion of principal associated with the combination annuity product by:guaranteeing a minimum rate on the fixed account allocation;guaranteeing at the end of a given period that the variable sub-accountwill not be less than a specific percentage of the original amountallocated to it; and determining the fixed account/variable sub-accountallocation based on a specified sub-account protection percentage, aspecified fixed account growth rate and a specified benefit period.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a system according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to combination financial products, systemsand methods, e.g., combination annuity products for retirement incomeplanning and investing.

Insurance products, which are classified according to how premiumpayments are invested and how insurance benefits are determined, can bedivided into two general categories: fixed or general account products(“fixed insurance products”), and variable or separate account products(“variable insurance products”). In addition, one can produce a hybridproduct that combines both fixed and variable elements (“combinationinsurance products”).

An embodiment of the invention provides a fixed/variable combinationproduct. It provides a hybrid product that combines both a fixed accountand a variable sub-account. By example, the product is a registeredproduct, has a market value adjustment (MVA) on the fixed investments,and varying choices of principal protection on the equity investments.

With regard to MVA, often an insurance company adopts an investmentstrategy that is geared towards the maturity date of a policy, meaningthat the company is able to invest in assets with longer maturityperiods, and thus match the maturity period of the underlying investmentwith the liability structure of the particular policy, i.e., the policymaturity period. Therefore, early withdrawals may cause anasset-liability mis-match, which can be addressed through the use of aMarket Value Adjustment. Therefore, if a withdrawal is made outside of aWindow Period, the amount of the withdrawal from the Fixed Account willbe adjusted in accordance with the then current interest rateenvironment. For example, if prevailing market interest rates are higherthan the rate guaranteed for the fixed account, the market valueadjustment would be negative; conversely, if the prevailing marketinterest rates are lower than the rate guaranteed for the fixed account,the market value adjustment would be positive.

However, any negative adjustment is limited to the extent that the FixedAccount Value cannot be less than the Fixed Account Value that wouldresult from the Guaranteed Interest Rate as specified in the ContractSchedule. The MVA formula is outlined later in this document.

Products according to the invention appeal to those who wish to combinethe security of a fixed annuity with actual market participation for aspecified minimum time period. The product allows some participation inthe market via a variable sub-account. An aspect of the product offersvarying time horizons with a respective fixed account and this variablesub-account. According to an embodiment, the product offers the optionto designate as the sub-account one of a variety of specified privatelabel funds. Product enhancements can include:

adding other investment options

the client may provide allocation options to the fixed account andinvestment options and the financial product administration systemdetermines the principal protection amount.

FIG. 1 is a block flow diagram illustrating steps involved in an annuityproduct in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Annuitypremiums are paid at step 10. Certain administrative charges may bededucted before investment of the balance of the premium at step 12. Thebalance of the premium is allocated between a variable sub-accountinvestment 14 and a fixed income investment 16.

Certain embodiments of the product guarantee principal protection for aspecified amount of the principal, e.g., 100%, on the contractanniversary date by:

1) guaranteeing a credited/minimum rate on the fixed account allocation;

2) guaranteeing at the end of a given period that the variablesub-account will not be less than a specific percentage of the originalamount allocated to it;

3) and then determining the fixed account/variable sub-accountallocation with a formula such as the one listed directly below.

For a given Separate Account Protection Percentage x and a given FixedAccount Growth rate of y and a given Protection Period of z years, theamount that is required to be allocated to the Fixed Account to ensure100% principal protection is

$\frac{\left( {1 - x} \right)}{\left\lbrack {\left( {1 + y} \right)^{z} - x} \right\rbrack}.$This formula determines the allocation to the fixed account, andtherefore the subaccount, too. There is a similar formula for statesthat do not allow for MVA fixed accounts and one can use an annual resetportfolio rate instead to credit the contract and the credited rate thefirst year and the minimum interest rate in the remaining years of theBenefit Period to determine the allocation to the fixed account andsubaccounts. In one embodiment, an administration system according tothe invention rounds up the allocation to the fixed account to 2 decimalpoints.

Thereafter, other charges are deducted daily, weekly, monthly, oryearly, and are typically a percentage of one or more aspects of thecontract's variable sub-account value. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that other time periods may be employed without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. The value of the sub-accountinvestment is periodically determined in step 18, typically, everybusiness day that stock markets are open for business. The value of thefixed income investment will also require periodic determination in step20, and will depend on the interest rate of the fixed income investmentof the contract. Such investment will typically steadily increase invalue and will not fluctuate as the sub-account investment typicallywill.

In an embodiment, the interest rate of the fixed income investment willbe guaranteed for a specific period. At the end of that period, thecontract typically provides that the owner may elect to allow theaccrued balance to roll over for the same period at the then currentguaranteed interest rate, or select a new guarantee period with its thencurrent interest rate, or reallocate some of the account value to thevariable sub-account. The premiums may be paid on a single paymentbasis. The account values may be adjusted on a daily, weekly, monthly oryearly basis, or some other basis. Upon reaching the income date,periodic income payments 22 are made to the annuity beneficiary based onthe account value at that time.

Referring to FIG. 2, software system 30 is preferably implemented as amain program of a software program that includes various routines ormodules to perform the functions of the present invention describedherein. Appropriate software structures may be implemented by persons ofordinary skill in the art to implement the present invention. Theinvention is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

The functions of software system 30 may be implemented in specialpurpose hardware or in a general or special purpose computer withappropriate operating system and memory storage and input/outputdevices. In a preferred embodiment the functions of system 30 arecontrolled by software instructions which direct a computer or otherdata processing apparatus to receive inputs, perform computations,transmit data internally, transmit outputs and effectuate the receiptand transfer of funds as described herein. An embodiment of the presentinvention provides a system for managing annuities and distribution ofannuity payments.

The system includes: (1) data storage for storing product informationrelated to: (a) annuity pricing information for determining pricinginterest rates for said annuities, (b) asset price information fordetermining actual rates of returns for assets underlying saidannuities, (c) mortality data for each annuitant of said annuities; and(2) data processing means for (a) deriving pricing interest rates fromsaid annuity pricing information, (b) determining actual rates ofreturns for said underlying assets of said annuities from said assetprice information, (c) computing actuarial present values and fundreserves from said pricing interest rates and said mortality data, (d)computing investment performance factors from said pricing interestrates and said actual rates of return, (e) computing interest adjustmentfactors from said actuarial present values, and (f) determining paymentprogressions for said annuities from said investment performance factorsand said interest adjustment factors. Data storage may be provided byany suitable storage medium that is accessible by the data processorused to implement the invention. Examples include, random access memory,magnetic tape, magnetic disk, or optical storage media.

Software system 30 receives annuity contract information 32 regardingnew annuity contracts. This information will typically includeinformation about the contract owner (and annuitant, if that person isnot the contract owner) that is pertinent to mortality, (e.g., age), thetype or types of annuities selected, and the contract owner's investmentchoices. For example, a combination product according to the inventionhas a fixed component and a variable component, each with itscorresponding periodic income payment options, with each differentcomponent supported by different underlying asset classes. Softwaresystem 30 also receives transfer requests from existing annuity owners.Annuitant/contract owner information 32 is input into a memoryaccessible by software system 30, using any suitable input device, e.g.by keyboard entry of data into a database.

Software system 30 also receives product information such as mortalitydata 34, used in calculation of premiums, and annuity pricinginformation 36. Annuity pricing information 36 includes fixed incomeinvestment information such as market interest rates used to priceannuities. These interest rates may be tied to an objective market ratesuch as treasury rates, a corporate bond rate or other objective rate.The rates used to price annuities may be related to an objective marketinterest rate by a constant offset, a multiplicative factor, anexponential function, or any other suitable relationship. Softwaresystem 30 also receives asset price information 38 which comprises thenet asset values of the underlying assets for each variable sub-account.Asset price information 38 is used by system 30 to determine theinvestment performance of the assets underlying the annuity funds.

Software system 30 uses annuity pricing information 36 and mortalitydata 34 to determine the market value of annuities based on suchinformation using annuity pricing routines 40. Software system 30 alsouses the information to develop both projected, and actual annuitypayment schedules using payment schedule routines 42. Software system 30manages the calculation of an annuity owner's account status 44 andpayments 46. In an embodiment, the pricing routines, payment schedules,and methods for determining account status and payments are conventionaland known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Clients may invest a portion of their initial premium in the variablesub-account and choose different levels of principal protection forspecific time horizons. In an embodiment, if a client withdraws funds inexcess of the free-out amount (e.g., 10%), there is a surrender chargeand the level of principal protection is adjusted for withdrawalspro-rata. Annually, the client may take up to the free-out amount (e.g.,10%) of the premiums paid in the first year or of the contract value asof the contract anniversary date without a contingent deferred salescharge (CDSC)—one can refer to the amount that can be take out of theaccount without charge as the “free-out amount.” In an embodiment, therewill be an MVA—either negative or positive. The client will still haveto pay any applicable taxes.

At least one embodiment of the invention fits the needs of the investorwith a desire to grow assets with only minimal risk of loss. An annuityaccording to an embodiment of the present invention offers astraightforward investment that provides:

Principal protection;

True market participation;

Transparent details in contract, marketing materials, and prospectus;and

Disclosure and regulatory oversight of a variable annuity

In an embodiment of the invention, the product is suitable for bothnon-qualified and qualified markets, including simplified employeepension (SEP), Roth individual retirement account (IRA), Custodial IRA,and IRA rollovers, and stretch versions of all the previously-mentionedproduct types. Stretch IRAs are accounts that one can set up to defertaxes, not just in the lifetime of the individual who set up the IRA,but through multiple generations.

An embodiment of the system that administers a product according to theinvention allows 90-24 rollovers and 1035 exchanges. Revenue Procedure90-24 allows a tax-free exchange of one tax-sheltered annuity contract(or custodial account) for another. 1035 refers to a provision in thetax code, which allows for the direct transfer of accumulated funds in alife insurance policy, endowment policy, annuity policy to another lifeinsurance policy, endowment policy or annuity contract without creatinga taxable event.

According to an embodiment, the combination product is a single premiumproduct. In an embodiment, the issue ages are limited to a specifiedage, e.g., 90 in all states except Oklahoma, where it is limited to age85. In an embodiment, the maximum maturity age is limited to a specifiedage, e.g., 100 for all states except Oklahoma, where it is 95. In anembodiment, the free look period corresponds to each state's filingrequirements. Variations on all of the parameters discussed above arewithin the scope of the invention. For example, in alternate embodimentsthe issue age could be different than 90 and the free look period couldbe longer than that required by state law. In an embodiment, there is aminimum deposit for qualified and non-qualified contracts. e.g.,$25,000.

In an embodiment, there is a maximum premium without Home OfficeApproval, e.g., $1,500,000 up to age 75 and $500,000 over age 75. Inalternate embodiments the maximum premium can be higher or lower thanthe amounts just noted and the age(s) for transition of the maximumpremium, to the extent one exists, can be higher or lower than justnoted. In this embodiment, the combination product is a single premiumproduct.

Death Benefits

In an embodiment, the standard (and only) death benefit is the greaterof contract value or return of premium, adjusted for withdrawals andpartial annuitizations. After a specified age, e.g., age 80, the deathbenefit is the contract value.

In an embodiment, the contract owner has all the rights of the contract.He or she can make all the changes, not the annuitant.

Number of Lives (Joint Ownership)

In an embodiment, the contract can be owned by joint contract owners,including non-spouses.

Partial Surrender/Partial Withdrawals

In an embodiment, partial surrenders are allowed. However, in order tomaintain a higher average balance within the block of business, in anembodiment the account balance can never go below a specified amount,e.g., $10,000, as a result of a partial surrender. If the accountbalance goes below the specified amount due to a partial surrender, theentire account is surrendered at the contract withdrawal value. Indeed,in an embodiment, the system will not allow the partial surrender tooccur and the agent (or client—depending on who submitted the request)will be contacted before the administration system initiates the fullsurrender.

In an embodiment, the administration system allows systematic withdrawalplans (SWPs) and Required Minimum Distributions to decrease the accountbelow the specified minimum amount.

In an embodiment, partial surrenders and partial withdrawals arededucted pro-rata from the MVA account and the variable sub-account. Theadministration system can incorporate a minimum partial surrenderamount, e.g., $250.

Annuitization

An embodiment of the combination product offers both fixed and variableannuitization options after a specified period, e.g., the 13^(th) month,of the contract, to provide consistency for the contracts and simplicityto the producers. In an embodiment, the income options include:

-   -   Life Income—Periodic payments are made as long as the Annuitant        lives.    -   Life Income with Period Certain—Periodic payments are made for a        guaranteed period, or as long as the Annuitant lives, whichever        is longer. According to an embodiment, the guaranteed period may        be selected from a variety of periods, e.g., five (5), ten (10),        or twenty (20) years. If the Beneficiary does not desire        payments to continue for the remainder of the guaranteed period,        he/she may elect to have the present value of the guaranteed        annuity payments remaining commuted and paid in a lump sum.    -   Joint and Last Survivor Annuity—Periodic payments are made        during the joint lifetime of two Annuitants continuing in the        same amount during the lifetime of the surviving Annuitant.    -   Joint and ⅔ Survivor Annuity—Periodic payments will be made        during the joint lifetime of two Annuitants. Payments will        continue during the lifetime of the surviving Annuitant and will        be computed on the basis of two-thirds of the annuity payment        (or Units) in effect during the joint lifetime.

Joint and Last Survivor with Period Certain

-   -   Periodic payments will be made for a guaranteed period, or        during the joint lifetime of two Annuitants continuing in the        same amount during the lifetime of the surviving Annuitant,        whichever is longer. The guaranteed period may be five (5),        ten (10) or twenty (20) years. If the Contract Owner does not        desire payments to continue for the remainder of the guaranteed        period, he/she may elect to have the present value of the        guaranteed Annuity Payments remaining commuted and paid in a        lump sum. The Company may assess any applicable Contingent        Deferred Sales Charge from the resulting commuted value prior to        payment of the lump sum. Such election cannot be made earlier        than one year after the first Annuity Payment has commenced.    -   Period Certain Annuity—Periodic payments will be made for a        specified period. In an embodiment, the specified period must be        at least five (5) years and cannot be more than thirty (30)        years. If the Contract Owner does not desire payments to        continue for the remainder of the guarantee period, he/she may        elect to have the present value of the remaining payments        commuted and paid in a lump sum or as Annuity Option purchased        at the date of such election.

In an embodiment, the administration system waives surrender penaltieswhen annuitizing the contract if a life or period certain option of morethan a specified period, e.g., 10 years, is chosen. If a clientannuitizes and then commutes the contract, the value of the account willcompensate for the surrender charges not applied. In an embodiment, aclient may only commute after a specified date, e.g., 12 months, fromthe annuitization date.

In an embodiment, partial annuitizations are allowed with a minimumamount, e.g., $10,000 for the partial annuitization.

Fixed Accounts

In an embodiment, the combination product offers a variety of periods,e.g., 5 to 20 year periods, for the fixed account. As noted above, in anembodiment, the fixed account includes a Market Value Adjustment (MVA),where applicable. In another embodiment the fixed account does notinclude a MVA.

In an embodiment, the client can not allocate more than a specifiedamount, e.g., 90%, of the initial premium to the fixed account.According to an embodiment, the administration system will require aminimum allocation, either as a percentage of the premium or as anabsolute value, to the fixed account in order to ensure that the clientdoes not allocate all of the assets to the variable sub-account.

As noted above the administration system uses a Market Value Adjustment(MVA) in order to adjust for differences in the credited rateenvironment. The administration system compares the difference betweenthe initial rate and the current rate to calculate the MVA. Note thatthe MVA can benefit the consumer if the current rate is lower than theinitial rate.

In an embodiment, the administration system allows withdrawals from thefixed account without a surrender charge or MVA during a specifiedwindow period, e.g., 30 days, at the end of the guarantee period.

In an embodiment, all surrenders and withdrawals above the free-outamount, unless within the window period or explicitly exempted, aresubject to a market value adjustment (MVA). The MVA will be calculatedusing the following formula:((1+a)^((n/12)))/((1+b+0.0025)^((n/12)))−1l

a) Index rate for a security with a period to maturity equal to theguarantee period, determined at the beginning of the guarantee period

b) Index rate for a security with a period to maturity equal to n monthsremaining in the current guarantee period, determined on the date ofcalculation

n) Number of months left in the guarantee period

Under no circumstances will the fund value reduced by the MVA be lessthan the fund value computed at the respective state's interest rateguarantee minimum.

If surrenders occur before the end of a guarantee period, an MVA will beassessed based upon the aforementioned formula.

The Variable Sub-Account

In order to directly participate in the stock market, an embodiment ofthe combination product offers a variable sub-account for a portion ofthe initial premium. The administration system assesses assets withinthe sub-account standard fees associated with the sub-account.

In alternative embodiments, the administration system can use adifferent type of variable sub-account or the administration system canallow the client to select among a variety of variable sub-accounts.

In an embodiment, there is a maximum limit for allocations to thevariable (or other sub-account). As indicated above, at issue theadministration system does not allow 100% of the client's premium to beinvested into the sub-account due to the nature of the product's valueproposition of principal protection.

Principal Protection

In an embodiment, the administration system offers principal protectionfor all time horizons. The product concept is to protect a specifiedamount, e.g., 100%, of the initial premium from the MVA fixed accountand the variable sub-account. In an embodiment, the administrationsystem automatically allocates respective portions of the premium to theMVA fixed account and to the variable sub-account.

In an embodiment, the principal protection is only available on thebenefit expiration date associated with the time horizon. For example,if a client chooses the 5 year period, the client is able to access thecontract value or the principal protection value, whichever is greater,on the 5^(th) benefit expiration date. In an embodiment, theadministration system provides notice of the window period to the clientand producer prior to the window period.

The administration system adjusts the principal protection bywithdrawals and partial annuitizations.

Rebalancing/Transfers

In an embodiment, at the time of a client's benefit expiration date, theadministration system initiates automatic rebalancing of the client'saccount to coincide with the level of principal protection requested atissue.

However, in an embodiment, the client has the option to directallocations or initiate transfers between the fixed and variablesub-account assets during the window periods based on options availableat that time. As noted above, in an embodiment, the administrationsystem notifies the client and the producer of the window period priorto the window period.

In an embodiment, the client is not allowed to make transfers at anytime except during the window periods. Transfers can be executed viaInternet, VRU, mail, or by calling a Service Center.

Window Period

In an embodiment, the product has a Window period, e.g., 30 days priorto the contract anniversary date. During this time period, the clientcan surrender the contract on the benefit expiration period after theprincipal protection benefit adjustment has been made, the client cannotify the company to rebalance to any level of principal protectionavailable at the time of renewal on the benefit expiration date, theclient can take a withdrawal, or the client can annuitize.

In an embodiment, the administration system provides notice to theclient, prior to the window period, reminding the client of the actionsthe client may take on the contract anniversary date.

Product Charges and Fees

A. Sales Charge

In an embodiment, the administration system can provide an upfront salescharge option. For contracts that have the upfront sales charge, themortality and expense charge will be less than contracts that do nothave the upfront sales charge and there will not be contingent deferredsales charges.

B. Mortality and Expense (M&E) Charge

In an embodiment, the mortality and expense charge is a daily chargebased on the value of the variable sub-account value. In an embodiment,the client is charged a different M&E charge, based on upfront chargesor benefit period. The mortality risk associated with the insurancebenefits provided, including our obligation to make annuity paymentsafter the annuity date regardless of how long all annuitants live, thedeath benefits, and the guarantee of rates used to determine annuitypayments during the income phase; and the expense risk that will besufficient to cover the actual cost of administering the contractincluding our provision of the Principal Protection Benefit and specialwithdrawal features.

C. Premium Tax

Some embodiments of the product include a premium tax which varies bystate of contract issue. Alternate embodiments do not include a premiumtax.

D. Administrative/Maintenance Fee

In an embodiment, there is an annual administrative fee, e.g., $40.

E. Surrender Charges (Contingent Deferred Sales Charges—CDSC)

In an embodiment, surrender charges are on a specified schedule, e.g., aspecified period of years, beginning at a specified percentage.

F. Subaccount Fee

In an embodiment, the administration system assesses assets within thevariable sub-account the standard fees associated with the sub-accounton a daily basis.

Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate

In an embodiment, the product offers a minimum guarantee on the fixedaccount for the MVA assets. During the filing process, the product usesthe most flexible approach to accommodate future interest rateenvironments.

It is possible to have a fixed account without an MVA. This will be aportfolio rate-type account and will be required in a few states thatwill not approve an MVA fixed account. In this case, the credited ratewill be guaranteed for one year and the rate will be renewed annually onthe contract anniversary date. Similarly to the formula mentionedpreviously, the allocation to the fixed account and subaccounts will bebased on the first year credited rate and the guaranteed minimuminterest rate thereafter. In an embodiment the guaranteed minimuminterest rate is 2% for the first 10 years and 3% thereafter. This maybe state specific as well.

Free Withdrawals

In an embodiment, a client can withdraw a specified amount, e.g., 10%annually, of the contract value without a surrender charge. Theadministration system assesses a surrender charge for any partialwithdrawal more than the free out amount or for a full surrender, unlessit is a required minimum distribution. The administration system allowsRequired Minimum Distributions without penalty.

In an embodiment, in the first year, the free out amount is based on thepurchase payment.

In years two and after, the administration system determines freewithdrawals on the anniversary date of the contract and updates/adjustsfor subsequent withdrawals. For example, if the client takes out half ofthe allowed free-out at the beginning of the second year, the clientwill be able to take up to the remaining balance of the free-outthroughout the year as long as the withdrawals meet the minimum partialsurrender amounts and the account value does not go below the minimumaccount value.

In an embodiment, the free-out amount allowed is not cumulative from oneyear to the next.

The administration system withdraws the free-out amount requested by theclient pro-rata from the MVA account and the variable sub-account, andadjusts the Principal Protection accordingly.

Automatic Withdrawals/Interest Sweep

In an embodiment, the product offers a SWP, but not an interest sweep.In this context, an interest sweep is a periodic transfer of interestfrom the fixed account to the variable sub-account. SWPs and RequiredMinimum Distributions are allowed to decrease the account below thespecified minimum amount, e.g., $10,000.

Spousal Continuation

In an embodiment, if the contract owner (or annuitant if entity-owned)dies before the annuitization period, the spouse may continue thecontract even if not listed as the joint owner. In an embodiment, thesurviving spouse can only exercise the right to continue the Contractonce while the Contract is in effect. If no election is made within aspecified period, e.g., 60 days, of receipt of proof of death, theadministration system will consider the surviving spouse to havecontinued the Contract in his or her own name.

Death Waiver

In an embodiment, the administration system will not impose a surrendercharge on death benefit payments.

Nursing Home/Home Health Care Waiver

In an embodiment, the administration system does not apply surrendercharges or assess a negative MVA on a distribution in the event that theclient is confined to a nursing home or in need of home health care. Inorder to qualify for this waiver, the client must not have been in anursing home or utilizing home health care within two years of thecontract effective date, and the client must be confined or utilizingservices for at least a specified period, e.g., 90 consecutive days,after issue of the contract. The services must be prescribed by aphysician and be medically necessary. Once a confirmation is received ingood order, all surrender charges/negative MVA will be waived upon fullor partial surrenders. The client may access the funds as a lump sum oras partial withdrawals. Upon exit from the nursing home or terminationof home health care services, the administration system re-establishesthe confinement period, e.g., the 90-day confinement period.

In an embodiment, there are no surrender charges or negative MVAadjustments applied on the terminal illness benefit paid to theparticipant. A physician must provide documentation that the participantis not expected to live more than 12 months. Once the confirmation isreceived in good order, all surrender charges are waived upon full orpartial payment of the terminal illness benefit, which is the value ofthe death benefit at the time the administration system receives proofof illness. The annuitant/owner may only use this waiver if theannuitant/owner was first diagnosed with a terminal illness after theeffective date of the annuity. In an embodiment, this waiver does notassess an explicit charge.

Commutation

In an embodiment, once the administration system has annuitized thecontract (meaning once the client starts receiving annuity payments),the client may commute the value of any remaining guaranteed payments.In an embodiment, the administration system will not assess a surrendercharge after the commutation, except in those states that require it.

Alterations, Modifications, and Improvements

Having thus described illustrative embodiments of the invention, variousalterations, modifications and improvements are contemplated by theinvention. Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intendedto be within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, theforegoing description is by way of example only and is not intended aslimiting. The invention's limit is defined only in the following claimsand the equivalents thereto.

1. A method for administering a combination annuity product, the methodcomprising: receiving at least one premium payment associated with acombination annuity product; allocating a specified portion of thepayment to a fixed account and allocating a specified portion of thepayment to a variable sub-account to determine a fixed account/variablesub-account allocation; and, guaranteeing principal protection for aspecified portion of principal associated with the combination annuityproduct, wherein said guaranteeing principal protection includes:guaranteeing a minimum rate on the fixed account allocation;guaranteeing at the end of a given period that the variable sub-accountwill not be less than a specific percentage of the original amountallocated to it; and, determining with a computer the fixedaccount/variable sub-account allocation based on a specified sub-accountprotection percentage, a specified fixed account growth rate and aspecified benefit period, wherein said determining the fixedaccount/variable sub-account allocation comprises determining thespecified portion of the at least one premium payment to allocate to thefixed account according to the equation$\frac{\left( {1 - x} \right)}{\left\lbrack {\left( {1 + y} \right)^{z} - x} \right\rbrack},$wherein x is the specified sub-account protection percentage, y is thespecified fixed account growth rate, and z is the specified benefitperiod.
 2. A system for administering a combination annuity product, thesystem comprising: receiving means for receiving data indicating paymentof at least one premium payment associated with a combination annuityproduct; allocating means in communication with the receiving means, theallocating means for allocating a specified portion of the payment to afixed account and allocating a specified portion of the payment to asub-account to determine a fixed account/variable sub-accountallocation; and, guaranteeing means in communication with the allocatingmeans, the guaranteeing means for guaranteeing principal protection fora specified portion of principal associated with the combination annuityproduct, wherein said guaranteeing means guarantees said principalprotection by: guaranteeing a minimum rate on the fixed accountallocation; guaranteeing at the end of a given period that the variablesub-account will not be less than a specific percentage of the originalamount allocated to it; and, determining the fixed account/variablesub-account allocation based on a specified sub-account protectionpercentage, a specified fixed account growth rate and a specifiedbenefit period, wherein said guaranteeing means determines the fixedaccount/variable sub-account allocation by determining the specifiedportion of the at least one premium payment to allocate to the fixedaccount according to the equation$\frac{\left( {1 - x} \right)}{\left\lbrack {\left( {1 + y} \right)^{z} - x} \right\rbrack},$wherein x is the specified sub-account protection percentage, y is thespecified fixed account growth rate, and z is the specified benefitperiod.